The Almighty Dominance

"Mother," Sophia pleaded desperately. "Please don't make me do this."

But Florence stayed on her knees, gripping Sophia's hands tightly.

"Sophia, for God's sake, I'm your mother! I know what's best for you, whether you see it now or not. One day, you'll thank me for this."

Sophia's eyes filled with tears, blurring the world around her.

The happiness she'd longed for was finally within reach-so close she could almost touch it—yet fate snatched it away like a cruel joke.

Why did it have to be this hard? Why did love with Alex feel like a battle she was always destined to lose?

Hadn't she already paid the price in tears and silence? How much more did she have to bleed just to be happy?

"Sophia, I will stay here on my knees until you agree," Florence declared stubbornly.

Jack also followed his mother and start kneeling.

"Sister, are you really going to abandon your own family? Do you have no heart left to save us?"

"We're not asking you to die-we're asking you to marry Gilbert Guise. He's going to be the future governor of the Paris State. Can't you see what that means? This is your chance to secure everything-for you, for us. Or would you rather watch us all fall?"

Florence added, "Sophia, if your heart is cold enough to watch us rot in prison, then maybe I should just end my life right here with Jack. At least that would be less painful than watching my own daughter turn her back on us."

Sophia took a shaky breath, heart breaking as the tears spilled freely down her face. "Fine. I'll do it..." she whispered, defeated.

She had given up for her own happiness.

Inside an exclusive bar, Gilbert Guise smirked triumphantly as Sophia's voice came through his phone.

"Perfect. I'll see you tonight. You better not disappoint me again," he warned smoothly before hanging up.

His entourage, a group of stylishly dressed men and women, erupted into applause and cheers.

"Congratulations, Mr. Guise! You're finally marrying your dream girl!" one woman praised enthusiastically.

Another chimed in with admiration. "It took a while, but nothing's impossible for you, Mr. Guise."

Gilbert's smile twisted darkly as he addressed his loyal followers. "I'll throw in an extra ten thousand each for your flawless execution."

"Thank you, Mr. Guise!" they chorused eagerly.

One man sneered, "That idiot Jack was so wasted, he never even realized what hit him."

"And that Jacqueline," the woman scoffed contemptuously.

"How dare she hide the fact she was carrying your child? She's better off dead. Let that fool Jack take the blame."

Gilbert chuckled cruelly, savoring his victory.

"Forget them; what's done is done. I'm grateful you made this possible. Sophia would've never caved if I hadn't had her brother arrested."

"I couldn't let such a rare beauty slip away, could I?"

The blond man eyed Gilbert curiously.

"But Mr. Guise, why marry her? With your reputation, you could easily have your fun without tying the knot. You're already legendary with 299 women. Why ruin your perfect record?"

Gilbert took a slow drag from his vape, his eyes gleaming arrogantly.

"Good question. But first of all, I always get what I want. And I made a promise to the media years ago—I'd marry her. So I will. At least until I get bored. It's perfect PR for me."

"The man who bagged Vancouver's top model, only to toss her aside once she turned out to be a total bitch. Hell, maybe I'll even let you have a turn with her after I'm done."

Laughter and cheers exploded among his followers, eagerly celebrating his outrageous ambition.

"You're too kind, Mr. Guise!" one of them shouted with a drunken laugh.

"Only a man like you would let us share a bed with a top model!"

"Brains, power, and generosity-Mr. Guise, we'll follow you anywhere!"

Gilbert soaked it all in, drunk on their praise, his ego swelling with every word. He stood there like a king among fools, loving every second of their worship.

He turned to one of the men. "What about the task I gave you did you handle it?”

"Yes," the man nodded. "I've confirmed everything with the people we planted inside the Montclaire circle."

"Just like the headlines say," he continued, "the Montclaire family is barely hanging on in Chicago. With Laura behind bars, the old matriarch's grasp is slipping."

"She's desperate—and now she sees Sophia as her last hope to restore the family's name. Especially now that Sophia's best friend, Lyra, just became the new governor of Chicago."

"Sophia's got the looks, and soon she'll have the influence," another chimed in. "Better lock her down now, Mr. Guise, before she realizes the power she holds."

One man hesitated, then asked, "Mr. Guise, didn't you previously consider marrying Jasmine Kingston? Whatever happened to that?"

Gilbert's laughter was sinister. "Oh, don't worry, that plan is still underway. Charles Kingston has already agreed to hand over his dear little sister."

"Hand over?" asked another man, confused.

"For a million dollars, he promised tonoveldrama

drug Jasmine and deliver her to my room. Perfect for a sex blackmail

situation. Imagine having that

leverage," Gilbert said, eyes cold with

ruthless ambition.

"You trust Charles Kingston?" another follower asked skeptically.

Gilbert shrugged casually. "Not at all, but he's desperate. That spoiled brat has run out of money, willing to do anything for cash-even betraying his own sister. When the time comes, you'll help him out,

nove

understood?"

"Absolutely, Mr. Guise," one of the men assured confidently. "You've always treated us like family; we'll do whatever it takes for you."

The blond man raised his glass, smiling widely. "Then let's toast to Mr. Guise's upcoming marriage and to successfully acquiring Jasmine Kingston!"

Glasses clinked loudly, and the room filled with sinister laughter and applause, the celebration echoing ominously into the night.

At nightfall, one of the hotel's most exclusive bars came alive.

Sophia sat uncomfortably in a private room, her mother Florence at her side like an unwanted shadow.

"Mother, do you really have to follow us everywhere?" Sophia's voice trembled with irritation.

Florence's eyes hardened, her voice sharp as steel.

“Gilbert saved me from that humiliating accusation. I'm here to make sure you don't sabotage your date."

"You're not ruining our only shot at fixing this mess. Consider tonight your first step toward marriage."

Florence had made a silent vow-Sophia would marry Gilbert, no matter the cost.

Gilbert arrived with his usual swagger, flashing a smile as he called for every kind

of drink, charming the room like a politician at his own victory party.

Thirty minutes passed, and something dark began to stir.

Without a single word spoken, Florence and Gilbert found common ground.

Gilbert's eyes devoured the thought of Sophia; Florence's gleamed with triumph at finally securing a powerful son-in-law.

In that quiet moment, an unholy alliance was born-driven by desire, bound by ambition, and damned by greed.

"Mr. Guise, please, no more," Sophia pleaded weakly, pushing away yet another glass of wine.

"Just drink it already," Gilbert said.

"I said enough!" Sophia's voice rose, sharp and trembling.

Her cheeks burned red, her head spun, and her limbs felt heavy-like her body no

longer belonged to her.

Gilbert's smile faded into a cold stare.

"Sophia, do you even understand

how much I had to pull to get your

mother out? Don't you dare act ungrateful. Your little brother is still rotting in that cell-waiting on my help."

"Just one more glass, dear," Florence coaxed persistently, her voice sugary

sweet, but laced with warning.

Sophia bit her lip, anxiety tightening her chest. She knew her limits. Any more alcohol, and she'd collapse right there.

Gilbert leaned closer, his eyes cold and insistent. "This will be the last one, Sophia. I promise."

Florence added softly, "Sophia, you don't want to embarrass Gilbert, do you?" "Fine," Sophia whispered, defeated.

Gathering every ounce of courage, she lifted the glass and drained it. The burning liquid slid down her throat, making her vision blur and the world spin violently. She swayed dangerously, her knees buckling beneath her. Florence caught her swiftly, holding her upright.

"Gilbert, look at her. Sophia is completely wasted. What should we do now?" Gilbert shrugged casually. "What do you think, Florence?"

Florence smiled slyly, her tone filled with suggestion. "The night is still young. Maybe you two could find somewhere private."

Gilbert smirked confidently. "I've already booked a penthouse suite upstairs. Sophia can rest comfortably there."

Florence feigned hesitation. "Oh, Sophia will love that. But you know how it is-l

have trouble sleeping in strange places. Perhaps you could take care of her yourself?"

Gilbert arched an eyebrow, amused. "Are you sure?"

"Absolutely." Florence smiled warmly, venom hidden behind her friendly mask. "After all, we're about to become family. Go and enjoy the evening together."